Role of oxidative stress in follicular fluid on embryos of patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment

Abstract

Aim: Oxidative stress (OS) is defined as an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in favor of the oxidants, and the disruption of redox signaling leads to molecular damages. This study was conducted to clarify the effect of OS in individual follicular fluid (FF) on oocyte fertilization and embryonic division. Methods: A total of 124 patients who underwent assisted reproductive technology treatment in our hospital underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection and 211 FF were collected. The ova were fertilized, and embryos were individually cultured until cleavage stage or blastocyst stage and classified according to the Veeck classification system or Gardner classification system. Results: The follicular fluid corresponding to the ovum was analyzed by measuring the OS marker, the reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROM test), and the antioxidant marker (biological antioxidant potential marker [BAP] test), and the relation between these markers and clinical parameters was analyzed. The value of d-ROM was correlated with the proper fertilization status and formation of good quality cleavage embryo, whereas the elevated value of BAP was observed in better embryonic development group. Oxidative stress index, defined as d-ROM/BAP × 100 clearly indicated that lower oxidative stress index was associated with better fertilization status and embryo development. Conclusion: Our results clearly indicate that the balance between OS and antioxidant capacity in FF at the time of oocyte retrieval is possibly important in the processes of fertilization and embryo division; thus, we propose that oxidative status and balance in FF might be used as novel biomarkers in assisted reproductive technology.

Altered Follicular Fluid Metabolic Pattern Correlates with Female Infertility and Outcome Measures of In Vitro Fertilization

“…Numerous studies have previously found clear evidences of ROS and RNS overproduction in FF of IF with different clinical pathologies [33][34][35][36], although none of them performed the concomitant evaluation of the full profile of water-and fat-soluble antioxidants. In our group of IF, we found a significant decrease in FF concentrations of ascorbic acid, GSH, α-tocopherol, vitamin A, CoQ 10 , total carotenoids (p < 0.001), and a significant increase of MDA, 8-OH-dG, nitrite, and nitrate (p < 0.001).…”

Arsenic, Oxidative Stress and Reproductive System

“…The main sources of ROS in the ovary are phagocytic macrophages, parenchymal steroidogenic cells, and endothelial cells [ 65 ]. Based on the role of ROS in folliculogenesis, the maturation of follicles, and ovulation, steroidogenic cells have potent antioxidant enzyme activity [ 66 ].…”

Protective effect of L‑carnitine against oxidative stress injury in human ovarian granulosa cells

“…GCs are involved in supporting and nourishing oocytes during follicular development and maturation (2,3). Oxidative stress (OS) caused by the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels has an important effect on oocyte and embryo quality (4,5). Previous study have found that the levels of ROS in the follicular fluid of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis (EMT) are significantly increased (4,6).…”

“…Oxidative stress (OS) caused by the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels has an important effect on oocyte and embryo quality (4,5). Previous study have found that the levels of ROS in the follicular fluid of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis (EMT) are significantly increased (4,6). In addition, within the healthy population, the total oxidative state and total antioxidant state in the follicular fluid also tend to be abnormal as the individual ages (6)(7)(8).…”